June date set for Buchanan by-election

A BY-ELECTION sparked by the death of the city’s economic chief Tom Buchanan is to be held in June.

Voters in Liberton/Gilmerton ward will go to the polls on Thursday, June 20 to elect a new representative following Cllr Buchanan’s death from a brain tumour earlier this month at the age of 55.

He had been a councillor for the area since 2007 and earned respect across the council for his role as convener of the economic development committee.

Tributes flooded in from across the political spectrum in the days following his death.

First Minister Alex Salmond hailed Cllr Buchanan for leading Edinburgh through some of its most turbulent years. He said: “Tom Buchanan was a dedicated and conscientious servant of his city and his country – his contribution as economic development convener delivered real and lasting benefits to Scotland’s capital.”

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm, with their locations to be announced soon.